The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) has commissioned four new high speed patrol boats, delivered by the US-based ship building company Metal Shark, on the island of Curacao.

The new patrol boats are the first ships to be delivered to the coast guard under a 12-boat order announced last year.

Designed by Metal Shark, the vessels are part of DCCG’s multi-year effort to replace its current fleet of open-cockpit rigid-inflatable boats (RIBs).

Commissioned into service, the new boats will serve as the coast guard’s primary interceptors that will be used to patrol the territorial waters of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and Saba.

The vessels are equipped with Metal Shark’s ‘Pillarless Glass’ pilothouse arrangement, which offers clear visibility both day and night, while the specially engineered composite armour panels ensure ballistic crew protection from hostile fire.

Metal Shark International Business Development vice-president Henry Irizarry said: “With their fully enclosed pilothouses, shock-mitigating seating, and the durability of welded aluminium construction, these patrol boats represent a significant capabilities upgrade for the DCCG, especially in the rough sea conditions prevalent off the coast of Curacao.

“These new vessels are an asset for the entire region; increasing range and reducing response time while greatly improving the safety of the crews who operate them.”

Currently, additional patrol boats to be delivered for the islands of Aruba and St. Maarten are in production, with deliveries scheduled for later this year.

Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard said: “By the end of the year, Metal Shark vessels will be operational in the militaries of over 50 countries worldwide.

“With our extensive portfolio of great-performing hull designs and the flexibility of our design team to meet customers’ needs with innovative solutions, we continue to expand Metal Shark’s global footprint.”

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